Hi everyone!
I cannot believe how quickly summer is ending. We hope that everyone had an opportunity to enjoy some time to explore the outdoors, eat great food, and laugh with family and friends. Many of us are also getting ready to send our children back to school. For me personally, my son is leaving to college in a couple of weeks which will be a bittersweet moment for all of us.
When I was a child, our family relocated to Puerto Rico where the primary language spoken was Spanish. I remember sitting in the classroom with some understanding of the language, but not completely comprehending everything that was being taught. Over the years, I felt that I was not smart enough because I could not actively participate in class. Eventually, when we returned to Chicago, I fell behind in high school and did poorly in my classes.
With a new school year upon us, it’s worth looking at what’s behind the increasing need for language access programs in schools to ensure students have a successful year.
At its core, the need for language access in schools boils down to two things: Legislation and demand. Federal legislation like Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on national origin, which today includes language. Paired alongside Title VI is the Equal Educational Opportunity Act, Title III of No Child Left Behind Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act which are all mandates that provide equal access to the benefits of public education. The other main driver for language services within the education system is the demand in interpreting and translation services. As we experience school populations grow more ethnically and culturally diverse, the importance of document translation and interpreting services to overcome communication barriers grows as well. Studies show that in the United States, 1 in 5 individuals now speak a language other than English at home leaving schools to encounter significant language barriers in the classroom.
Metaphrasis Language and Cultural Solutions offers a range of quality language solutions for the school year, whether the immediate need is for interpretation, or document translation. Let’s ensure that every student has an opportunity to learn and thrive in a classroom, while also giving parents access to the communication tools they need to communicate with teachers.
All my best,
Elizabeth Colón, President & CEO
